Post cure inflator

ABSTRACT

A FOUR TIRE POST CURE INFLATOR FOR A TWO TIRE PRESS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND INFLATE EACH TIRE BUT EVERY OTHER TIRE ON A SEPARATE PAIR O AXIALLY ROTATING CHUCK ELEMENTS, INDEX SUCH TIRES INTO A VERTICAL PLANE FOR AMBIENT COOLING AS THEY ARE ROTATING, WITH YOKES FOR THE OUTER ELEMENTS BEING GUIDED FOR OPENING AND CLOSING PARTLY ON FIXED AND PARTLY ON MOVABLE GUIDES, AND IMPROVED CHUCK LOCK MECHANICMS AND ROTARY SEALS WITH THE FORMER FIRMLY SECURING THE CHUCK ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN ANY RELATIVE ROTATIVE POSITION THEREOF.

NOV. 23, 1971 E 5 ULM BfiZLEZl POST CURE INFLATOR Original Filed June12, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIFIN'H )R ERNEST 5. ULM

MMQMJW ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1971 E. s. ULM 3,621,521

POST CURE INFLATOR Original Filed June 12, 1967 8 Sheets-Shoot 3ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1971 E. s. ULM 3,621,521

POST CURE INFLATOR Original Filed June 12, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 2 NINVEN'H m (\l ERNEST 5. ULM

ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1971 E. s. ULM 3,621,521

POST CURE INFLATOR Original Filed June 12. 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 7INVENTOR ERNEST .S. ULM

ATTORNEYS NOV. 23, 1971 ULM 3,621,521

POST CURE INFLATOR Original Filed June 12. 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVEN'Rm ERNEST 5. ULM

ZZZMM QM M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,621,521 POST CURE INFLATORErnest S. Ulm, Stow, Ohio, assignor to NRM Corporation, Akron, OhioOriginal application June 12, 1967, Ser. No. 645,283, now Patent No.3,483,596, dated Dec. 16, 1969. Divided and this application Aug. 19,1969, Ser. No. 851,321 Int. Cl. B29h /02 US. Cl. 18-2 TP 17 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A four tire post cure inflator for a two tirepress adapted to receive and inflate each tire but every other tire on aseparate pair of axially rotating chuck elements, index such tires intoa vertical plane for ambient cooling as they are rotating, with yokesfor the outer elements being guided for opening and closing partly onfixed and partly on movable guides, and improved chuck lock mechanismsand rotary seals with the former firmly securing the chuck elementstogether in any relative rotative position thereof.

This application is a division of US. application Ser. No. 645,283,filed June 12, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,483,596, granted Dec. 16, 1969,and relates generally as indicated to a post cure inflator and moreparticularly to a four tire post cure inflator for a two tire pressobtaining optimum uniform cooling and release temperature for suchtires.

In Brundage US. Pat. No. 3,170,187, there is disclosed a four tire postcure inflator utilizing parallel frames supporting tire chuck elementswith relative movement of the frames opening and closing the inflatorfor chucking the tires for inflation and ambient cooling followingvulcanization. The cooling period is substantially twice the vulcanizingcycle of the press. In the illustrated embodiment of such patent, theframes are reciprocated along an inclined linear path, but the patentteaches that the invention may be practiced by rotating or conveying theunits about a central axis to position each set of rim inflatingassemblies in the proper loading and unloading position. Subsequentdevelopments as seen in Soderquist Pat. No. 3,075,237 or Ericson et al.Pat. No. 3,214,791 provide for flip-over for loading and unloading ofthe tire chuck elements or inflating rim assemblies.

However, it has been found that with one tire positioned substantiallyabove the other particularly along a slightly inclined path that uniformcooling of the tire, particularly at ambient conditions, does notobtain. At the end of the curing cycle, the release temperature withinthe tire may actually vary substantially so that optimum uniformity inpost cure inflation cooling is not provided. This may affect the qualityof the tire produced.

With the present invention, there is provided a four tire automatic postcure inflator which positions the tire in a vertical plane to obtainmaximum natural air flow during cooling and also rotates the tire aboutits axis to obtain a uniform release temperature around the tire. Thisalso facilitates the use of forced air cooling since the tire is axiallyrotated within the air flow path and obtains equal surface exposure tothe cooling air thus resulting in a uniform temperature around the tire.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to providean automatic multiple tire post cure inflator which will obtain auniform temperature around the tire following the post cure inflationcycle.

Another principal object is the provision in a post cure inflator of achuck locking mechanism which will obtain automatic secure locking ofthe chuck elements at any relative rotative position thereof.

Another object is the provision of a post cure inflator of the flip-overtype having a simplified structural frame wherein the yokes supportingthe outer chuck elements are guided for opening and closing movementpartly on fixed and partly on movable guides.

A further object is the provision of such post cure inflator having ayoke configuration supporting the outer chuck elements which reduces thespace requirements for the unit.

A yet further object is the provision of such a post cure inflatorhaving a single actuating cylinder for opening and closing movements forboth tires in the unit.

Still another object is the provision of a unique ball type lock for thechuck elements incorporating safety features preventing release of thetires While under pressure.

A still further object is the provision of a unique rotary air seal forsuch post cure inflator wherein the rotary tire chucks may be providedwith air for tire squeeze pressure and for actuation of the ball lockfor the chuck elements.

Yet another object is the provision of a tire stop mechanism wherein thetire stops and guides as well as supporting conveyor sections may beadjusted simultaneously through a proportioning mechanism to convert themachine to tires of different size in a very short time.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrativeembodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but oneof the various ways in which the principles of the invention may beemployed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation of a post cure inflator in accordance withthe present invention partially broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of such post inflator taken substantiallyfrom the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and partially broken away and in sectionfor clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of such post cure inflator with the upper partof the machine partially broken away near the center taken substantiallyon the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line44 of FIG. 3 and viewing the unit from the opposite end seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail partially in section of thejournal of the chuck elements at the distal ends of the yoke;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are enlarged vertical sections taken through one pairof chuck elements illustrating the operation of the chuck lockingmechanism with FIG. 6 showing in section the rotary seal providing fluidconnections to the chuck operating mechanisms; and

FIGS. 10 through 14 are fragmentary side elevations of the post cureinflator and the associated tire press illustrating the cycle ofoperation thereof.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Referring first to FIG. 10, it will be seen that thepost cure inflator 1 is adapted to be mounted at the discharge or backend of a dual cavity tire press 2. Although the associated tire pressfor the post cure inflator may be of any type, that illustrated isperhaps best seen in detail in Brundage et al. US. Pat. No. 3,065,499,entitled Tire Handling and Curing Press assigned to NRM Corporation ofAkron, Ohio. The press basically comprises upper and lower mold sectionswith the upper section 3 being supported on press head 4 which is movedupwardly and back by means of bull gears 5 at opposite ends of the presswhich are connected to the head 4 through links 6. The pin connection 7between the links and the head 4 rides on the top surface 8 of camplates 9 for the opening and closing movement of the press. In thedischarge and loading position of the press, seen in FIG. 10, a greentire will be positioned on the bottom mold section by suitable loadingmechanism while the hot tire is discharged from the upper mold sectiononto inclined discharge conveyor 10. The discharge conveyor 10 comprisesa series of idler rollers 11 which without the post cure inflator 1would simply discharge the tires from the press onto a conveyorextending normal to the plane of FIG. 10. There would normally be twodischarge conveyors, one for each cavity of the usual dual cavity presswhich cures two tires simultaneously.

The post cure inflator 1 is supported at the outer end by a pair of legs13 and at the inner end is secured to the back of the press 2. Each leg13 is directly beneath A-frame struts 14 and 15 (see FIGS. 1 through 4)which join at the top With struts 16 and 17. Mounting plates 18 and 19are secured to the tops of the struts 14, 16 and 15, 17, respectively,and self-aligning ball bearing pillow blocks 20 and 21 are supportedthereon, each being held in place by suitable fasteners 22. The strutson each side of the machine are connected together near their lower endsby frame members 24 and 25, the inner ends of which may be secured bysuitable fasteners to the back edges of the side plates 9 of the press 2as shown at 26. The side frames connecting together the A-frame strutsare inclined as the discharge conveyor for gravity feeding and dischargeof the tire both from the press and from the post cure inflator unit 1.

The lower ends of the struts 16 and 17 are interconnected by framemember 27 while the lower end of the struts 14 and 15 are interconnectedby a similar frame member 28. The two longitudinal frame elements 27 and28 are then interconnected transversely by center plate 29. The struts15 through 18 and the side frames 24 and 25 as well as the longitudinalframes 27 and 28 are of tubular construction and may be welded togetherto form a rigid supporting frame work for the post cure inflator.

The tire holding and inflating portion of the machine comprises a centerframe or support 32 and two yokes 33 and 34 on each side thereof andmovable with respect thereto. The center frame comprises twolongitudinally extending square tubular frame members 35 and 36 whichare secured to end plates 37 and 38. Additional bridge plates 39 and 40parallel to and close to the end plates 37 and 38 support the inner endsof trunnion pins 41 and 42 projecting from the opposite ends of theframe 32. The pin 41 projects into the pillow block 20 while the pin 42projects through the pillow block 21 and is pr0- vided on the endthereof with sprocket 43. The sprocket 43 is connected by chain 44 todrive sprocket 45 driven by drive unit 46 powered by reversable drivemotor 47. The drive unit 46, 47 is supported on mounting plate 48projecting from the strut 15 and additionally supported by brace 49.

The center frame members 35 and 36 are additionally joined byhorizontally oriented plates 51 and 52 which in turn support hubs 53 and54in which are secured the axles 55 and 56 supporting on opposite endsthereof outwardly directed rim inflating assemblies 58, 59, 60 and 61.The hubs may be secured to the respective plates 51 or 52 by suitablefasteners such as indicated at 62 in FIG. 7. The details of the riminflating assemblies and their mounting on the axles 55 and 56 will bemore fully described in connection with the locking chucks seen moreclearly in FIGS. 6 through 9.

At the center of the longitudinal center frame members 35 and 36 on theoutside of each member there is provided a pair of spaced trapezoidalplates indicated at 64 and 65 in FIG. 4, each pair of which encloses asleeve as shown at 66 and 67, respectively. Guide pins 68 and 69 aresecured in such sleeves as by pins 70 and each end of the guide pins istapered as indicated at 71. The pair of plates 64 support limit switches72 and 73 while the pair 65 support worm transmission 74 driven by drivemotor 75. The worm drives shaft 76 projecting top and bottom from thetransmission and provided with belt sheaves 77 and 78. Drive belts 79and 80 lead from such sheaves to somewhat larger sheaves 81 and 82 whichare mounted on the axles 55 and 56, respectively, so that they and therim inflating assemblies 58 through 61 supported thereby will berotated. The tire rotation velocity achieved by such drive willpreferably be on the order of 12 rpm, but a range of from about 1 toabout 300 rpm. may be suitable. Additional cooling can be attained byeven higher rotational speeds which will produce centrifugal as well asturbulent action of the air affected by and in contact with the tire.

The configuration of the yokes 33 and 34 is perhaps best seen in FIG. 4.Since each yoke is identical in form, only the yoke 34 will be describedin detail and it will be appreciated that the same reference numeralswill be applied to the yoke 33 to corresponding parts. The yoke 34comprises a longitudinal frame element 85 which is of the shallowV-shape shown and which terminates at each end in hubs 86 and 87. Thelongitudinal frame member 85 at its center is formed integrally with atransverse frame 88 which again is of a shallow V-shape configuration asseen in FIG. 4, but which opens in the opposite direction or toward thecenter of the unit. The transverse frame may be of a channel sectionalconfiguration with the back of the channel being cut-away on each sideof the center as indicated at 89 and 90. The transverse frame terminatesin two parallel guide sleeves 91 and 92 adapted to confine closely theguide pins 68 and 69. Each yoke is provided with a center interior lug93 with the clevis 94 of the rod 95 of piston-cylinder assembly 96 beingconnected to the lug on the yoke 34 while clevis 97 at the blind end ofsuch assembly is connected to the lug on yoke 33. The piston-cylinderassembly 96, when extended or retracted, will move the respective yokes33 or 34 along the guides 68 and 69 when such yokes are free to move.

The outer or distal ends of the yokes 33 and 34 rotatably support tirerim inflating assemblies 98, 99', 100 and 101 which are axially alignedwith and opposed to the assemblies 58, 59, 60 and 61, respectively, tocooperate therewith for providing four separate chuck elements forreleasably holding four tires. The rotatable support of the assemblies98 through 101 is perhaps more clearly seen in FIG. 5 wherein the hub 86is provided with a ball bearing 103- between the hub and annularsleeve-like projection 104 extending from the assembly 99. The hearingmay be held in place by snap rings seen at 105 and 106 on the projectionand hub, respectively. A pintle 107 projects through the circularextension 104 of the assembly 99 and is held in place by snap ring 108on top of roller thrust bearing 109 in the annular recess in theinterior of the assembly 99. An air seal seen at 110 surrounds thepintle within the assembly and beneath the air seal there is provided asleeve bushing 111. The pintle is provided with an air passage 112 whichterminates in inwardly directed tapped port 113 to which piping may beconnected extending along the exterior of the longitudinal frame 85 ofthe yoke 34. In this manner, even though the assembly 99 be rotating,inflation pressure may be supplied through the pintle to inflate thetire.

PAS seen in FIG. 4, with the upper yoke 33 locked in the position shownthrough the tire chuck locks between the inflating rim assemblies 98, 58and 100 and 60, respectively, and with the chuck locks between theassemblies 59 and 99 and 61 and 101, respectively, released, extensionof the piston-cylinder assembly 96 will move the lower yoke to thephantom line position indicated at 115. This moves the lower rimassemblies 99 and 101 beneath the plane of the press discharge conveyorso that a tire may be positioned thereover or conversely so that a tiremay be discharged onto such conveyor. To guide such yokes in suchopening and also in closing movement, there is provided upwardlyprojecting fixed guides 116 and 117 which are connected to stanchions118 and 119, respectively, supported above the center transverse frameelement 29. The fixed guides 116 and 117 have tapered tops 120 which arefairly closely spaced from the tapered ends 71 of the guides 68 and 69.Suflicient clearance, however, is provided between the ends of theguides to permit the portion of the post cure infiator mounted on thetrunnion blocks 20 and 21 to oscillate as will hereinafter be more fullydescribed.

TIRE POSITIONING AND SUPPORT MECHANISM Referring now more particularlyto FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, each side of the machine is provided with aconveyor section as well as lateral tire guides 125 and 126 and aretractible tire stop 127. Since the conveyor sections and tire guidesand stops are identical on each side of the machine, only the unit atthe left of the machine as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described indetail.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the tire will move down the dischargeconveyor of the press onto the conveyor section moving from the bottom.of FIG. 3 to the top onto conveyors sections 128 and 129, each of whichmay be substantially allochirally identical in form. Each conveyorsection includes a plurality of longer parallel idler rolls 130 andsomewhat shorter rolls 131 and 132 forming a central opening 133-between the conveyor sections for the passage of the tire inrflating rimassembly carried at the outer ends of the yokes 33 and 34. The rollersare supported on transverse plates 134 and 135 extending in thedirection of travel of the tire, which at their ends are connected toplates 136 and 137 each provided with a pair of flanged wheels shown at138 riding on and guided by the outside edges of the longitudinal frames27 and 28. The conveyor sections 128 and 129 are thus supported formovement toward and away from each other to accommodate tires ofdifferent size.

As seen in FIG. 1, the plates 140 and 141 supporting the rollers of theconveyor section 129 are provided with slots in the gap provided betweenthe two shortest rollers, the configuration of which is seen moreclearly at 142 in FIG. 1. This accommodates the longitudinal frame 85 ofthe respective yoke and it can be seen that the inverted shallow V-shapeof the fairly thin yoke longitudinal frame (see FIG. 3) minimizes thedepth required for the slots 142 thus enabling the space beneath thepost cure inflator as seen at 144 in FIG. to be utilized moreeconomically for press yalving or similar functions. The specialconfiguration of the yoke also provides a more compact rotating carriageand the use of longer fixed guides than could other wise be providedwith closer clearance between the rotating and fixed guides.

Proportional adjustment of the conveyor sections as well as the tireguides and stops is obtained by crank handles 146 and 147 at thedischarge end of the machine. Each crank handle is secured to the end ofa threaded rod 148 which is journalled in bracket 149 secured to theframe member 28. Such bracket also supports guide rods 150 and 151extending therefrom. The threaded rod 148 is engaged in a tappedaperture extending through housing 152 which is supported for movementon the guide rods 150 and 151. The housing 152 supports retractable tirestop 127 including its actuating piston-cylinder assembly 153 seen inFIG. 1 as well as feeler finger 154 and its associated limit switch 155.

The housing 152 includes a projection 157 extending downwardly and at anangle thereto which is connected at 158 to link 159. As indicated inFIG. 3, the link includes an offset portion which, of course, providesclearance for the end of the yoke longitudinal frame. The opposite endof the link is. pivotally connected at 160 to levers 161 and 162 whichare pivoted at 163 and 164, respectively, such pivots being at the lowerend of pivot pin retaining sleeves 166 and 167 held by brackets 168 and169, respectively, secured to the frame 27. Each of the lovers 161 and162 includes a relatively short offset arm seen at 171 and 172, thedistal ends of which are adjustably connected to the conveyor sections128 and 129, respectively. The ends of the levers 161 and 162 oppositethe pivot 160 support tubular columns 173 and 174 which support at theirtops arms 175 and 176 supporting the side guide rollers 125 and 126,respectively. Support links 177 and 178 extend from the columns to thetops of the pivot pin sleeves 166 and 167 and are connected to suchpivots in order to support firmly the columns and thus the side guiderollers in an upright position.

It can now be seen that the crank handle 146 will move the housing 152along the guides 150 and 151 positioning the tire stop 127 and, ofcourse, the finger 154 while simultaneously moving the levers 161 and162 through the link 159 to pivot both the side guide rollers 125 and126 simultaneously and. also to move the conveyor sections 128- and 129toward and away from each other. Since the roller 125 is about threetimes the distance from the pivot 163 as the end of the offset arm 171,the ratio of adjustment for the side guide rollers as compared to theconveyor carriage will be about on the order of three to one. In anyevent, the illustrated machine can very quickly and easily be adjustedto obtain a cured tire O.D. range from about 20 to tbout 32 inches.

THE TIRE CHUCK LOCK MECHANISMS Referring now more particularly to FIGS.6 through 9, there is illustrated the tire chucking and inflatingsequence for the bead inflating rim assemblies 61 and 101 which are seenat the lower right in FIG. 2.

Referring first to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the assembly 101comprises a cup-shape element 180 which, like the corresponding portionof the assembly 99, is journalled 'on the hub of the projecting arm 85of the yoke 34, and pintle 181 extends through such journalled toprovide a connection for tire inflating line 182. The element 180 isprovided with a peripheral flange 183 on which is secured by suitablefasteners tire bead engaging rim 184. A seal 185 is provided between therim 184 and the element 180. The rim 184 may be constructed of aluminumand reference may be had to Brundage US. Pat. No. 3,241,180 entitledTire Rim Assembly for Use With Post Inflators for an illustration of thetype of rim assembly that may be employed. Such rim assemblies areprovided with alternating projections which may be pointed and recesseswhich intermesh with the corresponding recesses and projections of theopposed rim so that the bead seat shoulder 186 of the rims may bebrought together so that the beads may actually be squeezed by the rimassemblies to effect an air seal between the bead and the rim thus toensure proper inflation.

The interior of the element 180* is provided with a right circularcylindrical recess 188 having a restricted opening formed by inwardlydirected ridge 189, the underside of which is rounded as indicated at190 while the upper side is flared into a pilot surface 191.

The assembly 61 includes an element 193 which is mounted on theprojecting end 194 of the axle 56 extending from the hub 54 secured tothe center frame bridge plate 52. The element 193 is secured to theshaft for rotation therewith by key pins 195 and 196 projecting intoslots 197 and 198, respectively, in the axle. The projecting end of theaxle or shaft is provided with a seal 200 which provides an air sealbetween the periphery of the projecting end of the axle and deepcylindrical recess 201 in the back of the element 193. The recess formsa cylinder and the projecting end of the axle forms a rod to obtain apiston-cylinder assembly. The element 193, while secured to the axle forrotation therewith, is nonetheless mounted for axial sliding movementalong the axle to the extent permitted by the length of the slots 197and 198.

The element 193 includes a peripheral flange 202 to which is secured thebead engaging rim 203 which opposes the rim 184 and which is providedWitha bead seat 205 axially aligned with the bead seat 186. The element193 includes a cylindrical projection 206 designed closely to fit withinthe opening provided by the ridge 189 in the element 180. The projectionincludes a recess 207 in its end face which is closed by plate 208secured to the annular end wall 209. The recess includes an annularupper projection 210 having an outside diameter somewhat less than theoutside diameter of the main portion of the recess, the center of whichis formed by projection 211 extending into the recess. The recess 207also includes a plurality of radially extending ball ports 212 in whichballs 213 are mounted for limited radial movement. The outer edge of theports indicated at 214 may be provided with a small lip to prevent theballs from falling radially out of such ports.

The halls may be placed into such ports from inside the recess, but areheld in such ports by ball lock piston 216. The piston 216 includes alower major diameter portion fitted within the major portion of recess207 which is provided with a slight peripheral ball receiving grooveindicated at 217 forming at its top a cam lip 218 which, in thelowermost position of the piston 216, is adjacent the lower edge of thevarious ball ports 212. Above the lip 218, there is provided a circularshoulder shown at 219 which has a root diameter substantially less thanthe outside diameter of the bottom of the groove 217. From the shoulder219, the piston extends in annular projection 220 into the annularrecess 210 and is sealed both against the outside wall of the recess andthe projection 211 forming the interior wall thereof as indicated at221. The piston thus forms a central recess 222 in which the projection211 is slidably mounted and which is somewhat deeper than suchprojection. The underside of the piston forms an annular recessreceiving the upper end of compression spring 223 which extends from theplate 208 to the piston 216. The plate 208 is provided with asubstantial center aperture as indicated at 224.

The upper end of the recess 210 is vented to atmosphere through passage226 which also houses stop rod 227 biased by spring 228 against theupper end of the piston 216. A limit switch 230 is positioned above therod 227 as indicated in FIG. 6 and will sense through the rod theposition of the piston 216. An air passage 231 extends axially of theprojection 211 providing fluid communication to the recess 222 and suchpassage includes a lateral extension plugged as indicated at 232. Aconnecting passage 233 extends to union 234 to which flexible hose,235is connected. The hose 235 extends in a helical configuration and isconnected to union 236 which joins the hose to passage 237 in the axle56. The arrangement of the hose 235 permits communication to bemaintained between passage 237 in the axle and the passage 233 leadingto the recess 222 during axial movement of the assembly 61 on theprojecting end of the axle.

In addition to the passage 237 in the axle 56, there is provided acenter longitudinal air passage 240 which extends to both ends of theaxle communicating with the recess 201 in the element 193 and, ofcourse, the same recess in the corresponding element of the assembly 60mounted on the opposite end of the shaft. There is also provided apassage 241 connected to flexible hose 242 which provides fluidcommunication to the ball lock piston of the assembly 60 in the samemanner as illustrated in FIG. 6 for the assembly 61. It is noted thatthe passage 241 may be slightly longer than the passage 237 to permitthe mounting of the drive pulley 82 on the axle immediately adjacent thehub 54.

The passage 237 is connected to port 244 in the hub while the passage240 is connected to port 245 and the passage 241 to port 246. A rotaryair seal 248 is positioned concentrically about the axle 56 betweensealed ball bearings 249 and 250 on each end thereof which are held inplace by snap rings 251, both on the axle and the hub.

The rotary seal 248 is provided with three air passages communicatingwith the ports 244 through 246 and also the corresponding passages 237,240 and 242, and each passage in the seal consists of coplanar grooveson both the OD. and ID. of the rotary seal 248 interconnected by one ormore radially drilled passages indicated at 253. The passages in therotary seal are axially separated by O-ring seals on the CD. asindicated at 254 and U-cup rotary seals on the ID. as shown at 255.

The male units of each tire chuck assembly, i.e. those mounted on thecenter frame 32, are accordingly each provided with two air passagesthrough the rotating shaft or axle 56, one passage supplying linepressure for tire squeeze, not to be confused with tire inflation, andone for pressure to actuate the single acting ball lock piston 216.Although the ball lock pistons may be considered single acting, they dononetheless receive pressure from both sides at least during inflationof the tire and this obtains a safety interlock preventing the tirechucking assemblies from separating while the tire is under inflationpressure. This safety interlock is, of course, important since if thetires are inflated at approximately p.s.i., the force tending toseparate the assemblies for a 32" tire would be in the neighborhood of50,000 pounds.

The operation of the ball lock mechanism may perhaps more clearly beseen in comparing FIGS. 6 through 9, showing the chucking cycle, andmore particularly FIGS. 7 and 8 which show the actuation of the lock.

In FIG. 6, the lower assembly 101 has moved beneath the plane of theassociated conveyor sections and to pick up the tire, thepiston-cylinder assembly 96 is retracted to elevate the yoke 34. In suchcondition, the assembly 101 will not yet be rotating although theassembly is journalled to the yoke. The axle 56, however, will berotating at the speed noted above. Line pressure will continually beapplied through the center passage 240 to the recess 201 which causesthe assembly 61 to extend on the projection 194 of the axle to theextent permitted by the key pins 195 and 196 in the slots 197 and 198.Pressure is also supplied through the rotary seal to the flexible hose235 which through the passages 233 and 231 pressurizes chamber or recess222 maintaining the ball lock piston 216 against the end plate 208 withthe spring 223 compressed. In such position, the radiused shoulder 219will permit the balls 213 to move radially inwardly to clear theperipheral surface of the projection 206.

As retraction of the cylinder assembly 96 lifts the yoke 34, theprojection 206 will telescope within the recess 188 of the element withthe ridge 189 closely clearing the periphery of the projection 206.Continued closing of the chucks achieves for the assemblies 61 and 101the position shown more clearly in FIG. 7 wherein the beads of a tireshown at T may be brought closely together by the interfitting rims 203and 184. In such condition, the yoke 34 trips limit switch 73, theactual position of which is seen more clearly in FIG. 4. The making oflimit switch 73 will now permit the venting of the chamber 222 holdingthe ball lock piston 216 down if the limit switches 230 and 262 areclear. The limit switches 73 and 262 ensure that the assemblies havetelescoped together with the former indicating the maximum up positionof the yoke 34 and the latter indicating the position of the assembly 61with respect to the axle or shaft 56.

When the chamber 222 is vented as seen in FIG. 8, the spring 223 willforce the piston upwardly causing the balls 213 to ride over the camminglip 218 and seat within the annular groove 217. This, of course, forcesthe balls radially outwardly in their respective ports 212 and theposition of the groove 217 therebehind as indicated in FIG. 8 preventsthe ball then from moving back radially inwardly. When the piston movesto its locking position, the balls project radially from the peripheryof the projection 206 into the clearance 263 provided between theprojection 206 and the recess 188 beneath the ridge 189.

When the spring 223 forces the ball lock piston upwardly and, of course,the balls 213 outwardly, rod 227 moves against the pressure of spring228 to trip limit switch 230. With the limit switch 230 made and theswitch 262 still clear, the tire will now be inflated by supplyingpressure through the line 182 and the pintle 181. As the pressure entersbetween the assemblies and into the tire, the assemblies will be forcedapart or to the position seen in FIG. 9. The pressure in the much largerarea of the tire overcomes the constant line pressure in recess 201 andthe upper assembly 61 backs off to the point wherein the balls 213engage the rounded underside 190 of the ridge 189 and prevent furtherseparation of the assemblies. In such position, the limit switch 262will be made signalling that inflation has taken place. Because of theextreme difference in the areas to which the pressure is applied, itwill take only from about 2 to about 9 pounds per square inch within thetire to overcome the line pressure in the recess 201 at the end of theaxle 56. The center frame in the yokes will now shift the tire to itscooling position. Actually the tire may be shifted as soon as the limitswitch 230 is tripped ensuring that the balls 213 are in their lockingposition.

With inflation pressure of the tire on and, of course,

with inflation pressure within the chamber 265 seen in FIG. 9communicating with the end 266 of the ball lock actuating piston 216through the opening 224 in the plate 208, the piston will be held in itslocking position even if pressure is applied to the top thereof throughline 231. This is, of course, due to the much larger area at the bottomof the piston 216 exposed to the inflation pressure as opposed to themuch smaller area exposed to the actuating pressure from line 231.Accordingly, both the force of spring 223 as well as inflation pressurewill act on the piston maintaining it in its locking position. Also,there is a mechanical lock provided since the piston 216 cannot movedownwardly until the balls 213 have moved downwardly off of the radiusedundersurface 190 of the ridge 189 since they otherwise cannot move overthe camming lip 218 immediately above the locking groove 217. Suchmovement of the balls from the ridge 189 is, of course, only obtainableat about the aforementioned 2 to 9 p.s.i. of inflation pressure whereinthe line pressure in the chamber 201 at the end of the axle 56 wouldmove the unit 61 downwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameterof the area of the piston 216 exposed to inflation pressure may be inexcess of three times that exposed to actuating pressure through theline 231. The spring loaded differential area piston 216 thus ensureslocking safety at the high inflation pressures.

The reverse operation moving from FIGS. 9 to 6 is employed for unlockingthe chucks and depositing the post cure inflated tire on the conveyorsections for discharge from the machine. When the inflation pressure hasbeen vented to the aforementioned low range, the pressure in the chamber201 will cause the upper assembly 61 to move downwardly with respect tothe lower assembly 101 clearing the balls 213 from the ridge 189 so theyare at least mechanically free to roll ever the camming lip 218 and thisclears limit switch 262. Line 231 is now pressurized to force the piston216 downwardly against the pressure of spring 223 and any low residualinflation pressure to cam the balls over the camming lip 218 and holdingthe ball locking piston in the position shown in FIG.

7. The limit switch 230 is now cleared and with both switches 230 and262 now clear, the yoke piston-cylinder assembly 96 will be caused toextend moving the bottom assemblies 101 downwardly to the position shownin FIG. 6 depositing the post cure inflated tire on the conveyorsections. The tire stop 127 will be retracted by piston-cylinderassembly 153 and. the cooled tire will roll from the unit. The tire stop127 will then be repositioned and a new tire coming from the press willthen be inflated in the same manner.

OPERATION Referring now additionally to FIGS. 10 through 14, thepiston-cylinder assembly 96 of the unit 1 will be extended positioningthe yoke 34 below the conveyor sections with the rim assemblies 99 and101 fitting within the recesses 133 in such assemblies. The cross arm ofthe yoke, of course, fits within the slots 142 in the inner conveyorsections 129. As the tire A exits from the press, it will slide down thedischarge conveyor 10 onto the conveyor sections of the unit 1 to beproperly positioned by the stop 127 and the side guide rollers 125 and126. When the tire engages the stop 127, it will also strike feeler arm154 tripping limit switch 155 which actuates the piston-cylinderassembly 96. Since the unit 1 receives two tires at a time, both limitswitches 155 on each side of the machine must be tripped before thepiston-cylinder assembly 96 will retract. The retraction of the assembly96 or the elevation of the yoke 34 to the position shown in greaterdetail in FIG. 7 trips limit switch 73 and with switches 230 and 262clear as seen in FIG. 7, the ball lock piston 216 is vented which inturn trips switch 230 which in turn permits the application of inflationair and this in turn trips inflation limit switch 262. Switch 262 startsan inflation timer and the machine is now clear to index to its coolingposition.

The position of the tire A achieved in FIG. 11 is still in the loadingposition of the post cure inflator with the assembly 96 retracted butprior to indexing to the cooling position. In such position, as shown inFIG. 11, the ball lock mechanism is actuated as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8and inflation pressure is applied. The drive 47 is now energized torotate the center frame and the yokes locked thereto by the rim lockingmechanisms shown through an arc of 75 in a clockwise dierction as viewedin FIGS. 10 through 14 to position the tires in the position of FIG. 12.The term tires is employed since the preceding tire B from the press 2has been chucked up on the assemblies 60 and and is being held androtated in its inflated condition as the tire A is loaded and inflated.In the cooling position of FIG. 12, the tires are held in a verticalplane and rotation continues with the inflated tire driving the outerjournalled assemblies 101, etc. from the driven inner assemblies 61,etc.

We will now shift cycles to the tire B which has been cooling while thetire A was curing in the press. At the end of the cooling cycle for thetire B, as indicated by a timer, deflation begins and the drive 47 isagain energized to rotate the center frame and yokes locked theretothrough an arc of in the same clockwise direction to the unloadingposition seen in FIG. 13. This now positions the tire A on top and thetire B on the bottom or unloading position.

When the inflator achieves the unloading position seen in FIG. 13, whichmay correspond to that in greater detail seen in FIG. 1, limit switch280 will be tripped which is mounted on stop frame 281 supported bybraces 282 and 283 at the top of the struts 15 and 17. An adjustablestop button 284 projecting laterally from the center frame also engagessuch stop frame to ensure positive positioning for unloading. Eventhough the switch 280 is tripped indicating a proper unloading position,the piston-cylinder assembly 96 will not extend until the limit switches230 are triggered as the result of application of pressure to thechamber 222 above the ball lock actuating piston,

which in turn is the result of the clearing of switch 262 indicatingthat low inflation pressure has been achieved. When the piston-cylinderassembly 96 is extended, it will, of course, react against the yoke 34which is now on top, which is locked to the center frame through theball lock mechanisms between the assemblies 59 and 99, and 61 and 101.The yoke now moves down being guided initially by the guide pins on thecenter frame and then by the fixed guides 116 and 117 and when it hasachieved its lowermost position it will trip bottom limit switch 286seen in FIG. 4. When the limit switch 286 is cleared, that is when thepiston-cylinder assembly 96 is retracted to pick up a tire by the beadring, the piston-cylinder assembly 153 seen in FIG. 1 will be energizedto retract the stop 127. The making of the switch 286 will, however, notreposition the stop since this will be accomplished by tire exit limitswitch 287 operated by a dancer roll seen in FIG. 14. The switches 286and 287 when both made indicate that the post cure inflator is clear toreceive the next tire from the press and such switches may beinterlocked with the press itself to ensure as short a time as possiblebetween the clearing of the inflator unit and the depositing of a newcured tire therein. When the tire B is deposited on the conveyorsections, it will simply roll down conveyor extension 289 which supportsthe dancer roll and exit limit switch 287 and onto a further conveyorwhich may extend normal to the plane of FIG. 14.

When the next pair of tires are loaded, the piston-cylinder assembly 96will retract locking and inflating the tires on the unit. This time,when the drive 47 is signalled, it will rotate the unit in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. through 14 to the coolingposition seen in FIG. 12. The tire A will be in the same position asbefore, but a further tire C now will have replaced tire B.

As seen in FIG. 1, a limit switch 290 mounted on plate 291 bridging thestruts 15 and 16 indicates to the drive unit 47 the achievement of thecooling position. Now, moving back to the cycle of tire A, when itsinflation timer times out, the drive unit 47 will again be energized tomove the unit in a counterclockwise direction back to the position shownin FIG. 11. In such unloading position for the tire A, adjustable stopbutton 293 seen in FIG. 1 will engage the stop plate 281 and limitswitch 294 will be tripped signalling the achievement of the unloadingposition for the tire A. This switch performs the same function asswitch 280 which is merely to indicate that the inflator is in theposition to unload, but again the unloading cycle cannot commence untildeflation and unlocking takes place. The tire A is then redeposited on aconveyor to clear the unit and a new tire will take its place.

In the illustrated embodiment, it can now be seen that the drive unit 47has moved the inflator incrementally first in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGS. 10 through 14 through an arc of 75 to obtain the coolingposition of FIG. 12, and then through an arc of 105 to obtain theunloading position for the other tire. When the next tire is loaded andlocked in place, the drive unit 47 will then rotate the unit 105 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 10 through 14 back to thecooling position of FIG. 12. Then, to unload the original tire, thedrive unit 47 again rotates the unit 75 in such counterclockwisedirection to the unloading position.

Because of the ability to position the tires in a vertical plane asindicated in FIG. 12, a uniform release temperature is obtained.Moreover, it is apparent that because of the compact nature of theoscillating unit with the area between and around the tires beingsubstantially open, a hood or enclosure can be provided for forced aircooling. Additionally, it is apparent that there is provided a uniquechuck locking mechanism which will obtain automatic and secure lockingof the elements at any relative rotational position thereof and whichhas both 12 pressure and mechanical safety interlocks preventing releaseof the tire while under pressure.

Other advantageous features are provided, such as the use of both fixedand rotatable guides, which with the yoke configuration, reduce thespace requirements of the unit. Moreover, the post cure inflator willaccommodate a wide variety of tire sizes with only minor adjustments.

I claim:

1. In a post cure inflator, support means, an axle journaled in saidsupport means for rotation, a tire inflating rim assembly mounted onsaid axle for rotation therewith about the axis of said rim assembly, anopposed axially rotatable rim assembly, means mounting said opposed rimassembly for movement toward and away from said rim assembly mounted onsaid axle for chucking a tire therebetween at a loading station, meansfor inflating such tire after chucking, means mounting said supportmeans for movement of said rim assemblies between said loading stationand a cooling station, and means for rotating said axle at the coolingstation and thus said rim assembly mounted thereon which rotates thetire and said opposed rim assembly after chucking and inflation of thetire to provide uniform cooling around the entire outer surface of thechucked tire.

2. The post cure inflator of claim 1 wherein said support means issubstantially horizontal throughout its length and has a singlehorizontal axis, said support means being mounted for rotation aboutsaid horizontal axis for movement of said rim assemblies between saidloading and cooling stations as aforesaid.

3. The post cure inflator of claim 1 wherein said axle has opposite endsextending from opposite sides of said support means, and there is a tireinflating rim assembly mounted on both ends of said axle for rotationtherewith about their respective axes, and opposed axially rotatabletire inflating rim. assemblies mounted for movement toward and away fromboth of said rim assemblies mounted on said axle for chucking of tiresbetween said rim assemblies, rotation of said axle causing rotation ofboth of said rim assemblies mounted thereon, said cooling station beinglocated in a position at which the entire surface of the chucked tiresradially outward of the rim assemblies is spaced from said post cureinflator to permit cooling of all portions of the tires.

4. The post cure inflator of claim 1 wherein there are two axlesjournaled in said support means in spaced apart relation, the ends ofsaid axles extending through opposite sides of said support means, andthere is a tire inflating rim assembly mounted on each end of said axlesfor rotation therewith, and opposed axially rotatable tire inflating rimassemblies mounted for movement toward and away from each of said rimassemblies on said axles for chucking of tires therebetween, means forinflating the tires after chucking, and means for rotating both of saidaxles for rotation of the tires after chucking and inflation.

5. The post cure inflator of claim 1 wherein the rim assembly on saidaxle is provided with a projection, and the opposed rim assembly with arecess adapted to receive said projection, a locking ridge in saidrecess, radially movable locking elements in said projection, and meansfor urging said locking elements radially outwardly for engagement bysaid ridge to hold said rim assemblies together.

6. The post cure inflator of claim '5 wherein said locking elementscomprise balls received in radial ports in said projection.

7. The post cure inflator of claim 5 wherein said lastmentioned meanscomprises a piston-cylinder assembly in said projection operative in oneposition to hold said locking elements in locking condition forengagement by said locking ridge as aforesaid.

8. The post cure inflator of claim 7 including a hub on said supportmeans in which said axle is journaled for rotation, a rotary seal insaid hub, and connecting passages in said rotary seal and axle forsupplying air pressure to move said piston-cylinder assembly to aposition permitting radial inward movement of said locking elements toan unlocking condition, and spring means for urging said piston-cylinderassembly to the locking condition.

9. The post cure inflator of claim 8 wherein said rim assembly on saidaxle is keyed thereto for axial movement thereon, and means are providedfor urging said rim assembly on said axle axially toward said opposedrim assembly.

10. The post cure inflator of claim 9 wherein the pressure supplied fromsaid rotary seal to said piston-cylinder assembly moves through apassage in said able, a helically disposed flexible hose, and a passagein the rim assembly on said axle.

11. The post cure inflator of claim 5 wherein said piston-cylinderassembly includes a differential area piston having opposite sides ofdifferent areas, means for directing air pressure against the smallerarea side of said piston to move said piston to a position permittingradial inward movement of said locking elements, and means for directingtire inflation pressure against the larger area side of said piston tohold said piston in a position preventing radial inward movement of saidlocking elements.

12. The post cure inflator of claim 11 including means responsive to themovement of said piston to the locking position operative to permitinflation of the tire held by said rim assemblies.

13. The post cure inflator of claim 11 wherein the smaller area side ofsaid piston has an annular projection thereon forming a cylindricalrecess therein, the pressure being supplied to such smaller area side ofsaid piston being limited to such cylindrical recess which is of muchsmaller area than the area of the piston exposed to tire inflationpressure.

14. In a post cure inflator, support means, an axle journaled in saidsupport means for rotation, a tire inflating rim assembly mounted onsaid axle for rotation therewith about the axis of said rim assembly, anopposed axially rotatable rim assembly, means mounting said opposed rimassembly for movement toward and away from said rim assembly mounted onsaid axle for chucking a tire therebetween, means for inflating suchtire after chucking, means mounting said support means for movement ofsaid rim assemblies between loading and cooling stations, and drivemeans operative to rotate the chucked tire in the cooling station athigh speed to produce centrifugal and turbulent action of the airaffected by and in contact with the tire.

15. The post cure inflator of claim 14 wherein said axle has oppositeends extending from opposite sides of said support means, and there is atire inflating rim assembly mounted on both ends of said axle forrotation therewith about their respective axes, and opposed axiallyrotatable tire inflating rim assemblies mounted for movement toward andaway from both of said rim assemblies mounted on said axle for chuckingof tires between said rim assemblies, rotation of said axle causingrotation of both of said rim assemblies mounted thereon.

16. The post cure inflator of claim 14 wherein there are two of saidaxles jourualed in said support means for rotation with tire inflatingrim assemblies mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and two opposedrim assemblies mounted for movement toward and away from the rimassemblies on said axles for chucking of tires therebetween, comprisinga yoke having said opposed rim assemblics mounted on the ends thereof,guide sleeves mounted on said yoke, and guide rods mounted on saidsupport means in axial alignment with said sleeves for guiding said yokefor movement toward and away from said support means.

17. The post cure infiator of claim 16 wherein said drive meanscomprises means for rotating said axles and thus the rim assembliesmounted thereon which rotates the tires and opposed rim assemblies afterchucking and inflation of such tires.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,748,250 2/1930 Spong 18-42 R2,718,031 9/1955 Harvey 1843 X 3,075,237 1/1963 Soderquist 18--2 TP3,214,790 11/1965 Wright et a1. 18-2 TP 3,214,791 11/1965 Ericson et al18-2 TP 3,495,296 2/1970 Ericson et a1 18-2 TP FOREIGN PATENTS 890,90611/1943 France 182 TP J. HOWARD FLINT, In, Primary Examiner

